Chennai Super Kings are placed fourth on the points table with 17 points and need to win their last league game against Kings XI Punjab to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs. A loss, however, would put them at the mercy of the others. Kings XI are also on the brink of elimination after their loss to Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday and would need two wins in two matches plus other favourable results to push them through to the top four.

The task for Kings XI is difficult as they face two in-form teams, Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils, and both matches will be played in Dharamsala, negating any home advantage that was available in Mohali. But Kings XI have fought well this season and surprised big teams, including Super Kings in Chennai. If their batting and bowling complement each other, Kings XI have the firepower to down any team. However, they would have to avoid the distraction of losing two of their players to the spot-fixing controversy.

Two years ago, Super Kings had arrived in Dharamsala under similar circumstances for their last league match. That day, MS Dhoni had launched an attack on Irfan Pathan's last over, and from there on, the team went on to win the IPL title. This year, Super Kings have been in must-win situations in the last few games and their batting, which has always been their strength, has finally started to come together while Ben Hilfenhaus has added spark to their bowling.

There is a chance of rain in Dharamsala, but both teams would hope that it stays away because in case of a washout, Kings XI will be knocked out while Super Kings' chances will get trickier.

Form guide

(most recent first, completed games)

Kings XI Punjab : LWWLW Chennai Super Kings: WWWLW

Players to watch

David Hussey has said that Parwinder Awana has been Kings XI's find of the season. Awana has continued to impress with the pace he generates off the pitch. He bowled another incisive spell in Delhi where he picked up three important wickets to give Kings XI a chance against Daredevils' strong batting.

Three matches ago, Ben Hilfenhaus was taken apart by Dwayne Smith in Mumbai. Since then, Hilfenhaus has won two back-to-back Man-of-the-Match awards and his pace and late swing has caused problems for all batsmen. The highlight of his last week's exploits was the wicket of Virender Sehwag, who was beaten by the late outswing and lost his off stump.

Super Kings' batsmen have scored five half-centuries in IPL 2012, which is the lowest for a team along with Pune Warriors. Royal Challengers Bangalore have 15 half-centuries - the most by a team this season.

Quotes

"We will take one game at a time and won't think for the playoffs now. We have to win our next match."MS Dhoni on Super Kings' chances of making the playoffs.

"Delhi are a very talented team. But we have shown the fans that we fight till the end and can still chase the finals."David Hussey after Kings Xi's loss to Delhi Daredevils

NO,NOT gilchrist,oh man, CSK has to win . KXIP you are going to lose 89% for sure . KXIP choose to bowl , faf has to lead the team with the other 5 guys . GO CSK beat them

Hamilton
on May 17, 2012, 10:08 GMT

KXIP should lose ,they have already lost some matches CSK need to take some best players like morkel, bravo who lead CSK to some extreme wins,ben and faf. In that the sucessful CSK can trample over KXIP badly. I hope that KXIP marsh gets duck and hussey too. They been helping punjab to lead the team.If benny and ashwin target them or make them out.That would definitely help CSK to win massively. GO CSK defeat them easily

@GSP17: Replacing Bravo (all-rounder) with Bollinger is not a good idea!

Hitesh
on May 17, 2012, 9:19 GMT

Both teams are heavily depending on foreign players. KXIP on marsh and hussey...CSK on hussey, fuf de, morkel
If raina and dhoni clicks , CSK will crush the kings otherwise it is all over for CSK.
I wish for a good competition though

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 8:54 GMT

I'll be dissapionted if KXIP looses today. They have got such young talent in their team in terms of Awana, Mandeep, Gurkeerat nd Saini and offcourse experience of overseas players. They just need to ignite the spark. I'm sure they'll knockout a sloppy CSK and end their journey.
GO PUNJAB!!

NO,NOT gilchrist,oh man, CSK has to win . KXIP you are going to lose 89% for sure . KXIP choose to bowl , faf has to lead the team with the other 5 guys . GO CSK beat them

Hamilton
on May 17, 2012, 10:08 GMT

KXIP should lose ,they have already lost some matches CSK need to take some best players like morkel, bravo who lead CSK to some extreme wins,ben and faf. In that the sucessful CSK can trample over KXIP badly. I hope that KXIP marsh gets duck and hussey too. They been helping punjab to lead the team.If benny and ashwin target them or make them out.That would definitely help CSK to win massively. GO CSK defeat them easily

@GSP17: Replacing Bravo (all-rounder) with Bollinger is not a good idea!

Hitesh
on May 17, 2012, 9:19 GMT

Both teams are heavily depending on foreign players. KXIP on marsh and hussey...CSK on hussey, fuf de, morkel
If raina and dhoni clicks , CSK will crush the kings otherwise it is all over for CSK.
I wish for a good competition though

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 8:54 GMT

I'll be dissapionted if KXIP looses today. They have got such young talent in their team in terms of Awana, Mandeep, Gurkeerat nd Saini and offcourse experience of overseas players. They just need to ignite the spark. I'm sure they'll knockout a sloppy CSK and end their journey.
GO PUNJAB!!

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 8:53 GMT

guess that bangladeshis wont ask either of these teams to play shakib or tamin today......

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 8:37 GMT

leaving things for too late is not the signs of champion,but of laziness.hope to see punjab win and witness the ouster of( last ball win lover) dhoni today

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 8:29 GMT

bollinger has gone back to australia 2 weeks back............so he wil not be able to play.......my playing 11 for chennai will be:vijay,hussey,raina,dhoni,anirudha,jadeja,morkel,bravo,ashwin,hilfy,yomi

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 8:12 GMT

People are saying that CSK is winning matches at the last minute but let me tell you this is DHONI's strategy, their best hard hitting batsmen comes down the order, DHONI (Best Finisher) , MORKEL (Best hitter at Number 7), BRAVO (One of the cleanest striker of the bowl and can dominate any one) and ANIRUDDA (Number 1 opening T20 batsman in Domestic)

GSP
on May 17, 2012, 8:06 GMT

CSk should select Hussey, Morkel , Hilfilenu and Bollinger in Playing XI leaving out bravo and duplesis

Mukund
on May 17, 2012, 7:44 GMT

@drjustinrobert: i don't know whether you have just come out of your sleep.. Punjab is still sitting end of table just above pune & deccan who are already out of the playoffs and u are talking about csk in this way !! If punjab is such a team in your view, then they will be sitting right on top and would have qualified for playoffs .. even if they win csk today and their last match, still they will have to still wait for poor show off from other teams to qualify.. wake up please..

My team for CSK is Vijay, Hussey, Dhoni, Raina, Morkel, Jadeja, Anirudh, Ashwin, Jakati, Hilfenaus, Bollinger. so that we will have a strong bowling attack for Dharamsala Track whch wil aid seam bowling

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 6:06 GMT

It is do or die situation for CSK. Last three matches win boosts its morale and given extra strength. Undoubtedly CSK is one of the best side and deserves to enter the play off. CSK rocks when situation needs.....

Satish
on May 17, 2012, 5:58 GMT

@venkat82p : It would be nice to have twin pace bowlers who can attack very well but at the expense of whom? Faf should make the way to Morkel.. Morkel is bowling well and Bravo bowls at the death.. CSK have slot open for only one fast bowler - Pure bowler..

Arshad
on May 17, 2012, 5:52 GMT

It would be such a great shame if Punjab's hopes die down today and with it, the inspiring journey of resolve and sheer guts by this wonderful group of young talent comes to an end. There would be no perfect script than Punjab winning today and toppling the star-studded DD in their next match, making it to the finals

Come on CSK...U can do it....Go with confidence...All d best CSK....v want u in playoff...

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 4:58 GMT

In today's matches, if CSK wins and RCB loses, then CSK is through along with DD and KKR. And, MI will be under pressure , especially with their negative run rate.

prasanna
on May 17, 2012, 4:52 GMT

CSK Should try with bollinger and hillefenus today to see if they can destroy the opposition ..All the best CSK

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 4:51 GMT

most of the indian players in ipl are in good form...especially rosith sharma, sehwag, rahane, umesh yadav,...what ever its is...whether they are playing for csk or kings11 pnjb....i just want to see them playing like this for india as well....that is more important than ipl....

Sunil
on May 17, 2012, 4:46 GMT

Well Kings XI you should definately bowl first ! Chasing will be easy for them cause Chawla's spell can go either way ! so to encounter the 1 bowlers inability to contorl the ball they should ball first if Chawla goes for runs in first over D. Hussy shud get the ball , Battig i think Kings XI opening pair has already done their best performance they will make an opening of not more than 30 so D. Hussey shud try new opening ! while the X factor players are Both Hussies, Dhoni, Azhar & Awana ! best of Luck King XI may you win !!

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 4:42 GMT

@ drjustinrobert
Yeah...CSK are no match to the dominance of KXIP.
KXIP is the best team ever to have played T20. Awana, Azhar, Piyush and PK - of my God.....the best bowling attack the world has ever seen.

you are a funny man,......

I also believe that Piyush Chawla will be the trump card for CSK ;)

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 4:20 GMT

with hilfenhaus in form csk will have to strike marsh mandeep and hussey to make a clear win
GO CSK

Satish
on May 17, 2012, 4:06 GMT

Well.. Now comes the eliminators.. Will Dhoni'ss turned luck stay and stab him like it did in CB series and Asia cup - Where his team had a chance to qualify provided one other team's result OR will they create their own position by winning the game? But i would be sad if KXIP loses too.. they are the most inspiring team with some of good performance from budding players and displayed lots of heart and skills.. This would be a hot and cold day for me.. Will be happy for the winner but also sad for the losers..

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 3:44 GMT

in 2days csk n punjab match csk shuoud open mike hussey n badrinath then they may score a good openin patnership....bst of luk chennai .....

subra
on May 17, 2012, 3:42 GMT

Some how I feel tjis will be a very tight match both teams bringing out their best-winner will touch the line by a whisker.
I only wish for CSK to win as they are a better team but some members are not doing well.Ashwin has not taken enough wickets even though he is economical.Jadeja is just above ordinry nothing spectacular.So it is left to Ben and Morkel in Bowling .Batting is still in disarray.
I think MSD will be lucky if he wins the toss which might play a big part-chasing may be good than setting a target.
I think the result will Be CSK 55 against 45 of Kings X1 Good luck both teams.Good team should win than a freakish win by a last ball no ball wides etc

joseph
on May 17, 2012, 3:18 GMT

If CSK win(4 spot) then the 3 spot would be a tussle between RR and MI, Provided RR wins against DC. I hope it will be between DD, KKR, MI, CSK as expected. All the very BEST to CSK

Ajit
on May 17, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Faf needs to be up the order (if he is going to play) in order to use the new ball. Put him one down and drop everyone one place.

sabariesan
on May 17, 2012, 2:48 GMT

@Csk.
Please don't be over-confident taking on punjab.
Show some guts&consistency in batting and bowl well in powerplays & death ovrs... You h've great chance of winning this game.
All the best.:-)

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 1:43 GMT

LOL for KingsX1 supporters.... Wish you post the way even after the end of the first innings!!! Last laugh for the KingsX1 till the match starts with the SuperKings ;-)

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 0:12 GMT

This is a small ground and we can expect may sixes. Mascerenhas can be played instead of Miller. An extra batsman (Valthaty) could be tried. The big hitters should come upfront and score as much as possible in first 6. If KXI bat first and go hell for leather irrespective of losing wickets, they have a chance.

Dummy4
on May 16, 2012, 23:54 GMT

all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk

Justin
on May 16, 2012, 23:07 GMT

Tit for Tat, CSK. Welcome back to Dharmasala. 2010 rise of CSK and 2012 fall of CSK, all at one place. CSK can't win a single match comfortably without giving heartaches to their most intelligent and very loyal fans. Keep ASPIRIN ready guys. Against KKR, Vijay and Dhoni looked like they have no clue of playing spin and Piyush Chawla will be the trump card for KXIP's win. Ashwin and Raina seems not yet awake. I predict Awana, Azhar and PK will rip off the CSK batting lineup. CSK has won several matches by mere luck, just swinging hard in the last minute. KXIP is a real good coherent team hard to beat under David Hussey's leadership. Gilchrist should play and demolish the pathetic bowling line up of CSK. KXIP should not adopt a defensive strategy against CSK's bowling, rather beat them red and blue beginning with their 1st over. Gurkeerat Singh should open the innings with Mandeep or Saini. Awana should bowl with Chawla in the first 6 overs and completely negate Dhoni's game plan.

Raghu
on May 16, 2012, 21:59 GMT

This match will literally decide who between csk and rcb go through. if csk lose rcb have a good chance. punjab is low on nrr so its difficult for them.

delhi kkr are through. MI lost today and have one last match.
if either mumbai or chennai lose their last match, rcbs entry becomes easier

the equation for chennai is simple win this match as well as u can. if they lose rcbs chances become very bright

If CSK wins this match, Kings XI are out of competition. RR or MI will compete for another place if RR wins against MI. If MI wins, it's straight forward. The only problem is, RCB and CSK may get tied and will go to NRR. I believe CSK's NRR is superior enough to beat RCB. If CSK wins and RCB loses to DD, then CSK is through.

Dummy4
on May 16, 2012, 20:50 GMT

InSalLaH PunJaB wIlL wIn ThE MatCh So TheY caN giVe RcB a ChanCe 2 QualiFy fOr PlaYoFfS...

No featured comments at the moment.

Dummy4
on May 16, 2012, 20:50 GMT

InSalLaH PunJaB wIlL wIn ThE MatCh So TheY caN giVe RcB a ChanCe 2 QualiFy fOr PlaYoFfS...

Suresh
on May 16, 2012, 20:52 GMT

If CSK wins this match, Kings XI are out of competition. RR or MI will compete for another place if RR wins against MI. If MI wins, it's straight forward. The only problem is, RCB and CSK may get tied and will go to NRR. I believe CSK's NRR is superior enough to beat RCB. If CSK wins and RCB loses to DD, then CSK is through.

This match will literally decide who between csk and rcb go through. if csk lose rcb have a good chance. punjab is low on nrr so its difficult for them.

delhi kkr are through. MI lost today and have one last match.
if either mumbai or chennai lose their last match, rcbs entry becomes easier

the equation for chennai is simple win this match as well as u can. if they lose rcbs chances become very bright

Justin
on May 16, 2012, 23:07 GMT

Tit for Tat, CSK. Welcome back to Dharmasala. 2010 rise of CSK and 2012 fall of CSK, all at one place. CSK can't win a single match comfortably without giving heartaches to their most intelligent and very loyal fans. Keep ASPIRIN ready guys. Against KKR, Vijay and Dhoni looked like they have no clue of playing spin and Piyush Chawla will be the trump card for KXIP's win. Ashwin and Raina seems not yet awake. I predict Awana, Azhar and PK will rip off the CSK batting lineup. CSK has won several matches by mere luck, just swinging hard in the last minute. KXIP is a real good coherent team hard to beat under David Hussey's leadership. Gilchrist should play and demolish the pathetic bowling line up of CSK. KXIP should not adopt a defensive strategy against CSK's bowling, rather beat them red and blue beginning with their 1st over. Gurkeerat Singh should open the innings with Mandeep or Saini. Awana should bowl with Chawla in the first 6 overs and completely negate Dhoni's game plan.

Dummy4
on May 16, 2012, 23:54 GMT

all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk all the best csk

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 0:12 GMT

This is a small ground and we can expect may sixes. Mascerenhas can be played instead of Miller. An extra batsman (Valthaty) could be tried. The big hitters should come upfront and score as much as possible in first 6. If KXI bat first and go hell for leather irrespective of losing wickets, they have a chance.

Dummy4
on May 17, 2012, 1:43 GMT

LOL for KingsX1 supporters.... Wish you post the way even after the end of the first innings!!! Last laugh for the KingsX1 till the match starts with the SuperKings ;-)

sabariesan
on May 17, 2012, 2:48 GMT

@Csk.
Please don't be over-confident taking on punjab.
Show some guts&consistency in batting and bowl well in powerplays & death ovrs... You h've great chance of winning this game.
All the best.:-)

Ajit
on May 17, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Faf needs to be up the order (if he is going to play) in order to use the new ball. Put him one down and drop everyone one place.

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